WB wipes out Coyote vs. Acme, so we probably will not see it, but we might be able to figure out the story, given that the entire plot appears to have been leaked online. Yes, Warner Bros. might have just committed the biggest fumble of the year with the leaked script of Coyote vs. Acme hitting Twitter feeds everywhere. In the now-canceled film Coyote vs. Acme, John Cena was supposed to play the lawyer for Acme Corporation.
Sure, most people still have fond memories of the Looney Tunes cartoons from the early and late 1900s. Warner Bros., thus, wanted to bring back that nostalgic feeling, so Coyote vs. Acme was approved and put into production. Early in November (2023), the studio announced the film’s cancellation before changing its mind and pitching it to other studios. These studios showed interest, but their offers fell short of Warner Bros.’ approximately $70 million budget.
WB’s Misstep: How the Coyote vs. Acme Script Leak Went Viral?
The John Cena-starring live-action/animated legal comedy (unreleased) film Coyote vs. Acme is apparently back in trouble. As per The Wrap, despite having finished production, the $70 million film was originally shelved back in November (last year) due to a tax write-down.
After several days of public outcry, Warner Bros. decided to sell it after changing its mind. Now, the studio seems to have just made the fumble of the year with the leak of the script for Coyote vs. Acme on X.
Indeed, a very detailed plot leak from Coyote vs. Acme was released anonymously, further complicating the film’s future. It covered the roles of Will Forte and John Cena, the lawsuit that propels the story, the roles of Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd, and other characters, the allegorical Project Sisyphus at the movie’s core, and pretty much every major plot point.
The whole story of COYOTE VS. ACME has just been leaked.
I repeat: The WHOLE plot, beat by beat, has been leaked.
Even by Looney Tunes standards, it is absolutely LOONEY. It ticks me off how WB would cancel such a perfect celebration to these characters. https://t.co/IQFjngkhZh pic.twitter.com/IsLWgrOhxw
— The Critical 'Outside The Cube' Thinking Critique (@ACriticalHuman) March 4, 2024
But how reliable is the leak, really? Steven Ray Byrd, one of the actors from the film, is determined to make sure it is not ignored. He spoke with MovieWeb in an interview the day after the leak, where he explained:
“I did read it. So, personally, I will not share leaks. I won’t post it on my things, but I can read it; I was really curious. I basically looked for the scenes that I took part in, and I wanted to see if they were accurate. Let’s be honest, sometimes people post things for clicks. Is it a real leak? The scenes that I were in, I’d say they were accurate from what I saw.”
Given that this script has been leaked online, it is obvious that Warner Bros. may have made a serious mistake with this now-canceled project.
According to The Wrap, the studio declined sizable offers from Netflix, Amazon, and Paramount. Although the studio declined the offer, Paramount did agree to give the movie a theatrical release. Alas, despite being quite remarkable, the John Cena-starring film was canceled.
Coyote vs. Acme Supporters Continue the Fight
The positive buzz around Coyote vs. Acme has prompted a significant marketing campaign to screen the movie. Because this film is so distinctively Warner Bros., it is hard to imagine it being released on any other platform. Worried about Warner Bros.’ apparent direction with the beloved characters, fans took to social media to voice their dissatisfaction and confusion.
Hear some remarks from the fans via X:
It still doesn’t make sense for WB to cancel a looney tunes film when the Looney Tunes are like the mascots of the studio
— Samiya Hendrix (@SamiG21098) March 4, 2024
Not gonna read it. I don’t want this movie spoiled until the movie gets released. IF someone does something to release it
— Angel (@Angel84816921) March 4, 2024
They make a new story and decide not to release it, but instead, these movie companies just continue to "redo" old stories that end up as crap. They really need new stories. This sounds perfect. #ReleaseCoyoteVsAcme
— Amber Bamber 🦊 (@Spaztikchick) March 4, 2024
if someone can leak the story can someone just leak the movie 😭
— a very funny penguin (@acoolpenguinlol) March 4, 2024
WB struck gold, just to throw it away
— minayeon stan #19. (@postconcertmood) March 4, 2024
Steven Ray Byrd is thus deeply grateful to the supporters. He informed MovieWeb about the canceled film:
“I do appreciate how much support this film has received. I think that’s amazing. I take time to read all these comments, and there are so many people who are like, ‘You can’t cancel art.’ And that’s kind of the ongoing message. Canceling art is something we shouldn’t do. It’s awesome when people speak up sometimes. I thought about it too, like, ‘Well, Warner Bros. will probably never hire me for anything now.’ But it’s not about that. Sometimes, you’ve got to fight. I’m the little guy, I’m just a background actor, but I spoke up as much as I could, and I’m glad it got out there.”
Jeff Bergman, Will Forte, and a few others joined the cast in addition to John Cena. Despite having big names like Dave Green, Samy Burch, and James Gunn attached to the project, a number of issues affecting the release ultimately resulted in the film’s cancellation. And now that the script has leaked, Warner Bros. must be facing an uphill battle to regain fans’ trust.
